Lock unit having a multi-pawl locking mechanism

Abstract

A lock unit ( 1 ) comprising at least one catch ( 2 ), a first pawl ( 3 ) with a pawl rotation axis ( 4 ), and a blocking lever ( 5 ), wherein in a locked state of the lock unit ( 1 ), the catch ( 2 ) transfers a moment of rotation onto the first pawl ( 3 ) and the first pawl ( 3 ) is held in place by means of the blocking lever ( 5 ), wherein a second pawl ( 6 ) is pivotably arranged on the pawl rotation axis ( 4 ) and is engageable with the blocking lever ( 5 ) and the catch ( 2 ), and the first pawl ( 3 ) has a curved first blocking surface ( 12 ) for the primary position ( 13 ) of the catch ( 2 ).

The invention claimed is:  
     
       1. A lock unit comprising at least one catch, a first pawl with a pawl rotation axis, and a blocking lever, wherein in a locked state of the lock unit, said catch transfers a moment of rotation onto said first pawl and said first pawl is held in place by means of said blocking lever, and
 a second pawl that is pivotably arranged on said pawl rotation axis, wherein the second pawl engages said blocking lever to trigger opening of the lock unit; and the second pawl engages said catch at a first position to prevent inadvertent opening of the catch as the catch moves between an open state and the locked state, 
 and said first pawl has a convex curved first blocking surface for engaging a primary position of the catch to prevent movement of the catch when the lock unit is in the locked state. 
 
     
     
       2. The lock unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a reset element and wherein said blocking lever comprises:
 at least a first actuating arm that engages said first pawl, a second actuating arm that enages said second pawl, and a cantilever arm that engages at least the reset element. 
 
     
     
       3. The lock unit of  claim 2 , wherein said blocking lever has a pivot axis, with respect to which said cantilever arm is disposed opposite to said first actuating arm and said second actuating arm. 
     
     
       4. The lock unit of  claim 3 , wherein said blocking lever with said cantilever arm contacts said reset element only at certain times. 
     
     
       5. The lock unit of  claim 4 , wherein said first pawl has said first blocking surface for said primary position of said catch and a stop surface for said blocking lever, wherein said first blocking surface and said stop surface are distanced differently from the pawl pivot axis. 
     
     
       6. The lock unit of  claim 4 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       7. The lock unit of  claim 3 , wherein said first pawl has said first blocking surface for said primary position of said catch and a stop surface for said blocking lever, wherein said first blocking surface and said stop surface are distanced differently from the pawl pivot axis. 
     
     
       8. The lock unit of  claim 7 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       9. The lock unit of  claim 3 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       10. The lock unit of  claim 2 , wherein said blocking lever with said cantilever arm contacts said reset element only at certain times. 
     
     
       11. The lock unit of  claim 10 , wherein said first pawl has said first blocking surface for said primary position of said catch and a stop surface for said blocking lever, wherein said first blocking surface and said stop surface are distanced differently from the pawl pivot axis. 
     
     
       12. The lock unit of  claim 11 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       13. The lock unit of  claim 10 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       14. The lock unit of  claim 2 , wherein said first pawl has said first blocking surface for said primary position of said catch and a stop surface for said blocking lever, wherein said first blocking surface and said stop surface are distanced differently from the pawl pivot axis. 
     
     
       15. The lock unit of  claim 14 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       16. The lock unit of  claim 2 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       17. The lock unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first pawl has said first blocking surface for said primary position of said catch and a stop surface for said blocking lever, wherein said first blocking surface and said stop surface are distanced differently from the pawl pivot axis. 
     
     
       18. The lock unit of  claim 17 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       19. The lock unit of  claim 1 , wherein said first pawl neighboring said stop surface for said blocking lever has a recess for said first actuating arm. 
     
     
       20. A motor vehicle comprising at least a lock unit of  claim 1 .